Trial of woman in double homicide in Joliet set to begin

JOLIET, Ill. — A prosecutor told jurors in the trial of one of four suspects in a 2013 double murder in Joliet the victims were strangled for cigarettes and money.

The Chicago Sun-Times (http://bit.ly/1ouauEB) reports that in an opening statement Monday in the trial of 20-year-old Bethany McKee, Will County Assistant State's Attorney Tricia McKenna said Terrance Rankins and Eric Glover were killed as part of a robbery plot but that it netted the killers just $120.

McKee's attorney told jurors that McKee should not have been charged with murder because there is no evidence she injured either victim.

McKee is the first suspect to stand trial. Two others are awaiting trial and the other pleaded guilty to robbery and concealment of a homicidal death in exchange for a 10-year prison sentence.